A World of Generosity
CureDuchenne’s recent charity partnership with Blizzard Entertainment and multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft raised $2 million for the nonprofit, the most significant contribution it has received to date from a corporation.
The campaign was inspired by the late Mats Steen, a Norwegian World of Warcraft player who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy as a young boy and died at 25. His family thought he lived a life in total isolation of laughter, friendship and love.
But in the wake of his death, they immediately discovered that their son was living an adventurous online life in World of Warcraft as a character named Ibelin. This led to the award-winning Netflix documentary about his life, “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.”
From Oct. 25 to Jan.7, World of Warcraft players could adopt a limited-edition pet fox named Reven (“the fox” in Norwegian) in World of Warcraft to accompany them on their adventures while supporting CureDuchenne. All proceeds from The Reven Pack support CureDuchenne’s mission to accelerate research toward a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and improve care for individuals worldwide living with the disease.
“This campaign has been truly extraordinary—not only in the critical funds raised for research, but in the awareness it has generated for Duchenne muscular dystrophy,” said Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne.
“The World of Warcraft community has shown that gaming can be a powerful force for good, and we are deeply grateful to Blizzard, the Steen family and to every player who joined us in honoring Mats Steen and making a real difference in the lives of those affected by Duchenne.”
Debra’s son Hawken, who has the illness, wrote a Leader Board about CureDuchenne and the movie in the Business Journal’s Feb. 24 issue.
“(Gamers’) generosity in supporting this year’s charity pet program for CureDuchenne will help enable their incredible work and honors the deeply impactful life lived by Mats Steen,” said Holly Longdale, executive producer, World of Warcraft.
Food for Thought
Sixty Orange County business and education leaders gathered on Feb. 13 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach for Cristo Rey Orange County High School’s inaugural CEO Breakfast, where industry executives shared insights on the event’s topic: The Future of Work and Education in Orange County.
Sponsored by Irvine Ranch Water District, the executive panel was moderated by Ian Williamson, dean of the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business. Panelists included Paul Cook, general manager, Irvine Ranch Water District; Oscar Gonzalez, president, Northgate Gonzalez Market and vice chair, Cristo Rey Board; and Annette Morgan, chief operating officer, City of Hope Orange County. The panel discussion explored artificial intelligence’s impact on the future workforce and the critical importance of developing students’ soft skills.
Williamson, Gonzalez and Morgan are all founding corporate partners of Cristo Rey Network’s Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), which provides early workplace exposure for students.
The program currently partners with 43 leading Orange County businesses and aims to add 30 partners this year. Panelists highlighted how Cristo Rey’s innovative model bridges the gap between education and industry, preparing students for tomorrow’s workplace while delivering value to local businesses today.
“It really boils down to awareness, access and ambition. People can only pursue opportunities of which they are aware,” said Williamson.
“Even if a person is aware of an opportunity, it’s very difficult for them to try something they’ve never seen. So, access to people who have been successful changes a person’s perspective as to what they can achieve. It raises the ambition for what is possible in their life.”
The transformative impact of CWSP came to life through sophomore Ashley’s testimony about her program placement at Costa Mesa law firm Latham & Watkins LLP. Her last name was not provided to protect her privacy.
“I’ve been given the privilege of working with my mentors who have given me the best advice and guidance,” Ashley said.
It’s All About the Kids
The Stars & Stripes Children’s Foundation held a reception for its donors, supporters, partners and friends on Feb. 20 at A+O Restaurant, Balboa Bay Club to celebrate its recognition as the #1 Top Unique Charity Event in Orange County by the Business Journal. The honor highlights the foundation’s extraordinary efforts to raise funds for children’s charities through its annual Stars & Stripes Tournament.
Founded in 1996 by Dick “Dicko” Gebhard, co-founder of Pinnacle Landscape Management, and his wife Debbie, the tournament has become a premier philanthropic event, blending four days of deep-sea fishing, high-end golf, top-tier musical performances and luxurious accommodations. Held yearly in Cabo San Lucas, the Stars & Stripes Tournament has generated more than $50 million for various charities, including $4.6 million raised by the 2024 tournament.
The 2025 Stars & Stripes Tournament will be held June 26 through June 29 at the Hilton Los Cabos in Cabo San Lucas. Activities over the four days include an Angels Flight opening reception, fishing tournament, open play golf, silent auction, live auction, pool party, pickleball tournament and a live concert. Beneficiaries include Orangewood Foundation, Miracles for Kids, Young Lives Redeemed, CASA Youth Shelter, Merge and Mission Plasticos.
The Stars & Stripes Children’s Foundation Board members—called Knights—include Gebhard, Al Baldwin, CEO, Baldwin & Sons; Michael Schrock, partner, Urban Arena; Tim Ryan, CEO, OCVibe; Michele Ryan, first female member of the Knights; and Zlatko Zadro, president, Zadro Products Inc. and other top Orange County business leaders.
Bits & Pieces
In February, the S. Mark Taper Foundation awarded a $150,000 grant to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, which feeds an average of 446,673 community members each month, nearly double its pre-pandemic average of 249,000 … Irvine AutoNation donated $25,000 in October to the Onco-Ballet Foundation, which provides free ballet classes to those facing cancer as part of AutoNation’s DRV PNK initiative, which brings together AutoNation associates and customers to drive awareness for cancer research and treatment nationwide and has raised over $40 million for cancer research, prevention and care since the initiative’s launch in 2013 … Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley was honored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America with the Hero for Youth Award, which is awarded to the top 40% of Boys & Girls Clubs for their outstanding impact, creativity and innovation in advocating for California’s youth.
Correction
During the Jan. 28 Orange County Community Foundation’s annual iheartOC Giving Days Summit, opening remarks were given by OCCF COO Cathleen Otero. Due to incomplete information provided to the Business Journal, the name of the speaker was incorrect. The Business Journal regrets the error.
